Logo

Paperboard Packaging Alliance Announces 2026 Student Design Challenge Winner

California Polytechnic State University Students Win 2026 Competition

WASHINGTON, D.C., – Today, the Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) announced the winners of the 2026 Student Design Challenge. The Student Design Challenge is a yearly competition that tests students’ skills in designing creative, innovative paper-based packaging by applying them to a real-world application. PPA is a joint initiative of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC).

The 2026 Design Challenge tasked students with developing an influencer PR box for a new luxury confectionery brand. Submissions had to contain and protect the retail product while elevating the user experience through an engaging, memorable unboxing moment.

Student design projects from the following schools were named as winners:

  • 1st Place: Dāt–California Polytechnic State University
  • 2nd Place: Pacha Cacao–Rochester Institute of Technology
  • 3rd Place: Tempus–California Polytechnic State University

“It is inspiring to see the creativity and innovation demonstrated by this year’s winning teams and all Challenge participants,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA President and CEO. “The Student Design Challenge encourages emerging designers to explore how sustainable materials and packaging design can advance circularity while addressing real-world packaging needs. As part of the Paperboard Packaging Alliance, we are proud to support the next generation of talent and their contributions to the future of paperboard packaging.”

“Some of the people who will shape the future of fiber-based packaging are sitting in classrooms today,” said Emily Leonczyk, President of PPC. “The Student Design Challenge gives students from a range of disciplines an opportunity to see firsthand what paperboard can deliver: creativity, performance and a compelling sustainability story. Just as important, it creates a bridge between the classroom and our industry. Bringing these students to our Fall Meeting gives them the opportunity to present their ideas, meet converters and potential future employers, and inspire our community. That connection goes both ways: we want students to see the breadth of opportunity in paperboard packaging, and we want our industry to see the talent, ideas, and perspectives of the next generation.”

Additional acknowledgments were announced for the following entries:

Honorable Mentions

  • Sen Confectionary–Humber Polytechnic 
  • Aesop's Garden–Laguna College of Art & Design 
  • Elixir–Laguna College of Art & Design 
  • Ever Bar Co.–San Jose State University 
  • Klé–University of Houston 
  • Wisconfectionary–University of Wisconsin-Stout 
  • Komorebi–Virginia Tech 
  • Choux–Virginia Tech 
  • Shoko–Virginia Tech

People’s Choice Award

  • Tempus–California Polytechnic State University

The PPA honored the winners on September 30 during the Fall Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, which brought together more than 250 paperboard packaging professionals. At the conference, PPA also announced the theme for the 2027 Student Design Challenge, which will task students with creating the ultimate VIP fan package for the PPA International Games, hosted in a city of their choice. Using innovative and sustainable paperboard packaging, the package should generate excitement for the sporting event, highlight the unique character of the host city, and give recipients an exclusive preview of the world-class experience awaiting them.

View all winners and entries from 2026.
 

About the Paperboard Packaging Alliance

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) is a joint initiative of the American Forest & Paper Association and the Paperboard Packaging Council. The mission is to promote the benefits of paperboard packaging to influence preference for these materials in packaging design and selection. PPA is a proud supporter of collegiate packaging and design programs across the U.S. and Canada, donating thousands of dollars in scholarships, materials, and classroom resources each year. Alliance membership includes companies representing the full range of mills and converters engaged in the production of paperboard packaging. Additional information about PPA can be found at www.paperboardpackaging.org.

About the American Forest & Paper Association

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. For more information, visit www.afandpa.org. 

About the Paperboard Packaging Council

For 95 years, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has served as the premier North American association for converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers. PPC works to grow, promote, and protect the paperboard packaging industry while providing its members with resources and tools to compete successfully in the marketplace. For more information, visit www.paperbox.org.